Headline card-present rates
On Clover’s US retail pricing table, the Basic hardware bundle with the Starter software plan lists card tapped, swiped, or inserted at 2.6% + 10¢. Card information typed in on the device is 3.5% + $0.10 on the same page. CardFeeCalc’s default Clover calculator uses the published in-person line (2.6% + $0.10) so you can edit the fields if a reseller quote differs.
Square’s US pricing page separates plans. On the Square Free plan, tap, dip, or swipe is 2.6% + $0.15 (in-person card present, Square Free) with $0.00/mo. per location for the software subscription line shown on that page. That in-person rate is lower than Square Free card payments made online or through an invoice (3.3% + $0.30 on the same page). Square’s separate Online API row is 2.9% + $0.30 on every plan—use that if you integrate via API rather than Square’s Online row.
Hardware and monthly software costs
Clover’s online retail cart shows hardware payment choices separately from per-transaction fees. The compact Basic terminal is listed at $16.00/mo. for 36 months or a $349.00 purchase option on Clover retail pricing. Higher tiers (Standard and Advanced) bundle larger screens, cash drawers, and different software plans with higher device payments—only compare those if your workflow needs the included hardware.
Square publishes subscription tiers on the same pricing page: Free at $0.00/mo., Plus at $49/mo., and Premium at $149/mo. per location, each with lower in-person processing on Plus and Premium. This guide’s processing math uses Square Free in-person so it aligns with the embedded Square calculator. Square also states that hardware options start at $59.00 on Square Hardware, while Clover’s all-in-one devices are priced on the Clover retail page above—not on a separate accessory list.
Neither processor’s processing fee includes optional add-ons (payroll, loyalty, Rapid Deposit, and so on). Treat those as line items in your own budget rather than mixing them into the per-transaction tables below.
Per-ticket processing (calculator math)
$15.00 card-present charge
Clover — fee $0.49, net $14.51
Square in-person — fee $0.54, net $14.46
Square’s fee is $0.05 higher on this ticket because Square Free in-person carries a $0.15 fixed fee versus Clover’s $0.10 on the Basic/Starter line.
$50.00 card-present charge
Clover — fee $1.40, net $48.60
Square in-person — fee $1.45, net $48.55
Square’s fee is $0.05 higher on this ticket because Square Free in-person carries a $0.15 fixed fee versus Clover’s $0.10 on the Basic/Starter line.
$100.00 card-present charge
Clover — fee $2.70, net $97.30
Square in-person — fee $2.75, net $97.25
Square’s fee is $0.05 higher on this ticket because Square Free in-person carries a $0.15 fixed fee versus Clover’s $0.10 on the Basic/Starter line.
Monthly card volume scenarios
The table uses the same forward-fee rounding as the calculators. It includes processing fees only—no hardware financing, SaaS plans, or chargeback fees. Add your own subscription and device costs from the official pages when you model total cost of ownership.
$12,000 / month · 480 sales
Card-present heavy boutique: about $25 average ticket, no monthly POS subscription in the model.
Clover processing: $360.00 (3.00% effective)
Square in-person processing: $384.00 (3.20% effective)
Difference on processing alone: $24.00 more on Square before hardware or subscriptions.
$45,000 / month · 3,000 sales
Busy café with lots of small tickets (~$15). Processing-only comparison; hardware financing excluded.
Clover processing: $1,470.00 (3.27% effective)
Square in-person processing: $1,620.00 (3.60% effective)
Difference on processing alone: $150.00 more on Square before hardware or subscriptions.
$120,000 / month · 4,000 sales
Multi-register shop near $30 average ticket. Subscription add-ons (Square Plus, Clover Growth) not included.
Clover processing: $3,520.00 (2.93% effective)
Square in-person processing: $3,720.00 (3.10% effective)
Difference on processing alone: $200.00 more on Square before hardware or subscriptions.
Clover fee calculator
2.6% + $0.10 (Retail Basic hardware on Starter plan — edit if your quote differs)
Results
Enter an amount to see fees and net payout
Uses the same published rate as this page — no signup.
Open full Clover calculator — same published-rate math as the standalone calculator page.
Square in-person fee calculator
2.6% + $0.15 (in-person card present, Square Free)
Results
Live- Processing fee
- $2.75
- You keep (net)
- $97.25
- Effective fee
- 2.75%
Open full Square calculator — same published-rate math as the standalone calculator page.
Who each option suits
Square Free fits sellers who want $0/month software on the published plan, are comfortable buying or financing readers from Square’s hardware store, and mostly need straightforward in-person payments with optional online tools on the same account. The higher fixed fee on small tickets can still add up, which is why the monthly scenarios above matter as much as the headline 2.6% rate.
Clover through the retail pricing page targets businesses that want an integrated terminal bundle, are willing to commit to Clover’s device payment schedule (monthly hardware payments or upfront purchase), and may work with Clover or a reseller for underwriting. The default CardFeeCalc rate matches the Basic + Starter in-person line; Growth or Advanced plans publish lower card-present percentages on the same table if you upgrade hardware and software together.
If you also take online payments, compare Square’s online row and Stripe or PayPal on Stripe vs Square vs PayPal fees. Restaurant-focused operators should look at Toast separately—Clover and Square both serve retail-first workflows in this guide.
Keyed-in and chargeback costs
Keyed-in card-not-present entry is priced higher on both platforms for Basic Clover hardware and on Square’s keyed row (3.5% + $0.15 on Square Free per the US pricing page). If staff regularly type cards in, model that rate—not the tap/swipe line—in the calculators.
Disputes, ACH, instant deposit, and gift cards are not part of the embedded calculator defaults. Read each processor’s fee schedule before you rely on net payout timing or dispute reserves in cash-flow planning.